Julie

• Re-enforced concrete and masonry are stiff in a horizontal direction, so they can hold the weight. There are a few places that use this such as California and Chile. This is important because less damage in the city and it is most likely that the people living in a house with re-enforced concrete/masonry will survive the earthquake.

A base isolated building and how it affects the inside of the house.

• Base isolated houses (Which is rubber on under the base of the house) is used in

  A normal tremor proof building and how it affects the inside of a house.

  
  Japan to absorb the shock and to make the vibration of an earthquake smaller and softer.
• Plywood is used in California because it is strong, sturdy and doesn’t break or crack easily. However, it can crack when it is too dry.The plywood has a grain that forms the plywood. This grain runs in different directions making it harder to bend and break during an earthquake.

• Windows have rounded off edges so there is a 50% chance that it won’t break during earthquakes and fall on some one. This is used in California during earthquakes so the glass from the window won’t fall over and severely injure somebody . The window has more space to move around instead of breaking.When a window does not have rounded edges all the pressure from the tremor will cause it to break, since the glass is not attached to the frame.

Where and why is it important to live in a tremor proof building/house?

• Where: Japan, California, South America, Philippines and Alaska

• Japan uses a type tremor proof architecture called base isolated house because they have lots of earthquakes and need to protect themselves.

• In California there are lots of earthquakes occurring so it is important to have a house that can resist tremors, such as having a house out of plywood so the house won’t break or crack.

The ring of fire.

South America also has many tremors. They protect themselves by using the same techniques as California.

• Philippines have several tremors each year but have poorly built houses. Because of poorly built houses there is lots of damage made and many lives lost or hurt people.

How do architects decide on which material is best for a tremor proof building?